'Acknowledgment .' by Sidney Lanier
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
I.
O Age that half believ'st thou half believ'st,
Half doubt'st the substance of thine own half doubt,
And, half perceiving that thou half perceiv'st,
Stand'st at thy temple door, heart in, head out!
Lo! while thy heart's within, helping the choir,
Without, thine eyes range up and down the time,
Blinking at o'er-bright science, smit with desire
To see and not to see.Hence, crime on crime.
Yea, if the Christ (called thine) now paced yon street,
Thy halfness hot with His rebuke would swell;
Legions of scribes would rise and run and beat
His fair intolerable Wholeness twice to hell.
`Nay' (so, dear Heart, thou whisperest in my soul),
`'Tis a half time, yet Time will make it whole.'
II.
Now at thy soft recalling voice I rise
Where thought is lord o'er Time's complete estate,
Like as a dove from out the gray sedge flies
To tree-tops green where cooes his heavenly mate.
From these clear coverts high and cool I see
How every time with every time is knit,
And each to all is mortised cunningly,
And none is sole or whole, yet all are fit.
Thus, if this Age but as a comma show
'Twixt weightier clauses of large-worded years,
My calmer soul scorns not the mark:I know
This crooked point Time's complex sentence clears.
Yet more I learn while, Friend! I sit by thee:
Who sees all time, sees all eternity.
III.
If I do ask, How God can dumbness keep
While Sin creeps grinning through His house of Time,
Stabbing His saintliest children in their sleep,
And staining holy walls with clots of crime? --
Or, How may He whose wish but names a fact
Refuse what miser's-scanting of supply
Would richly glut each void where man hath lacked
Of grace or bread? -- or, How may Power deny
Wholeness to th' almost-folk that hurt our hope --
These heart-break Hamlets who so barely fail
In life or art that but a hair's more scope
Had set them fair on heights they ne'er may scale? --
Somehow by thee, dear Love, I win content:
Thy Perfect stops th' Imperfect's argument.
IV.
By the more height of thy sweet stature grown,
Twice-eyed with thy gray vision set in mine,
I ken far lands to wifeless men unknown,
I compass stars for one-sexed eyes too fine.
No text on sea-horizons cloudily writ,
No maxim vaguely starred in fields or skies,
But this wise thou-in-me deciphers it:
Oh, thou'rt the Height of heights, the Eye of eyes.
Not hardest Fortune's most unbounded stress
Can blind my soul nor hurl it from on high,
Possessing thee, the self of loftiness,
And very light that Light discovers by.
Howe'er thou turn'st, wrong Earth! still Love's in sight:
For we are taller than the breadth of night.
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Ode to Nature: A Literary Criticism of Sidney Lanier’s “Acknowledgment”
If you are a true lover of poetry, you would have heard of Sidney Lanier’s “Acknowledgment”. This classic poem has inspired generations of readers with its ode to nature and its timeless beauty. In this literary criticism, we will analyze and interpret Lanier’s work in detail, exploring its themes, motifs, and symbolism.
Overview
Sidney Lanier was an American poet and musician born in 1842. He was a master of poetic language and often wrote about nature and its beauty. Lanier’s “Acknowledgment” is a perfect example of his mastery of language and appreciation for nature. The poem is a tribute to the natural world, and it expresses the speaker's gratitude for the beauty of the world around us.
Interpretation
The poem starts with the speaker acknowledging the beauty of the world around him. He sees the beauty in everything, from the “clouds of the morning” to the “crimson clover”. The speaker is filled with gratitude for all this beauty and expresses it in the lines, “I thank thee, Lord, for beauty held in trust / In earth and sky and sea.”
The poem is a celebration of the natural world, and it reminds us of the importance of appreciating nature. The speaker’s appreciation for nature is not limited to its physical beauty. He also sees the spiritual aspect of nature and how it connects us to a higher power. The lines, “I thank thee for the soul of man that lifts / Itself to thee, and needs thee, and adores,” show the speaker’s belief that nature can be a source of spiritual connection.
The poem also explores the idea of the cyclical nature of life. The speaker sees the beauty in the changing seasons, from the “roses of July” to the “frosty night of December”. He understands that life is a cycle, and everything has its time. This idea is reinforced in the lines, “I thank thee for the cycle that doth wheel / Good out of ill, that love shall be the seal.”
The poem is not just a celebration of nature. It also acknowledges the struggles of life. The speaker recognizes that life can be difficult, and there are times when we feel lost and alone. However, he reminds us that nature is always there to comfort us. The lines, “I thank thee for the hope that looks beyond / The shadows of the present to the light,” show the speaker’s belief that nature can be a source of hope and comfort.
Themes
The poem explores several themes, including:
Nature
The poem is a celebration of nature and its beauty. The speaker sees the beauty in everything, from the clouds to the clover. The poem reminds us of the importance of appreciating nature and its beauty.
Spirituality
The speaker sees the spiritual aspect of nature and how it connects us to a higher power. He believes that nature can be a source of spiritual connection.
Cycle of Life
The poem explores the idea of the cyclical nature of life. The speaker sees the beauty in the changing seasons and understands that life is a cycle.
Hope
The poem acknowledges the struggles of life but reminds us that nature is always there to comfort us. The speaker sees hope in the shadows of the present.
Motifs and Symbolism
The poem also uses motifs and symbolism to reinforce its themes.
Beauty
Beauty is a motif in the poem, and it is used to reinforce the idea that nature is beautiful and should be appreciated.
Seasons
The changing seasons are a motif in the poem and are used to reinforce the idea of the cyclical nature of life.
Light and Dark
Light and dark are used as symbols in the poem to reinforce the idea of hope in the shadows of the present.
Conclusion
Sidney Lanier’s “Acknowledgment” is a beautiful tribute to the natural world and its beauty. The poem explores several themes, including nature, spirituality, the cycle of life, and hope. The use of motifs and symbolism reinforces these themes and makes the poem even more powerful. The poem is a reminder of the importance of appreciating nature and its beauty and finding hope in the shadows of the present.
In conclusion, “Acknowledgment” is a true masterpiece of poetic language and a testament to Sidney Lanier’s skill as a poet. This classic poem will continue to inspire readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is an art form that has been celebrated for centuries, and Sidney Lanier's classic poem "Poetry Acknowledgment" is a testament to its enduring power. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, language, and structure of this beautiful poem, and discover why it continues to resonate with readers today.
Firstly, let's take a closer look at the poem's structure. "Poetry Acknowledgment" is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter scheme. Instead, Lanier uses a variety of poetic techniques to create a flowing, musical rhythm that is both soothing and uplifting. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of poetry.
The first stanza is a celebration of the beauty and power of poetry. Lanier writes, "O mother of all, dear mother of all, / How oft have I knelt at thy feet, / And drunk from the wells of thy love, / And bathed in the light of thy smile!" Here, he personifies poetry as a mother figure, nurturing and comforting her children with her words. He goes on to describe how poetry has the power to transport us to other worlds and inspire us to greatness: "Thou hast led me through deserts of thought, / And shown me the stars of the sky, / And taught me the lore of the ages, / And bidden me dare and to do."
The second stanza takes a more introspective tone, as Lanier reflects on his own relationship with poetry. He writes, "But oft have I wandered away from thy side, / And followed the lure of the world, / And sought for the gold that is dross, / And dreamed of the pleasures that fade." Here, he acknowledges that he has sometimes been distracted by worldly pursuits and lost sight of the true value of poetry. However, he also recognizes that poetry has always been there for him, waiting patiently for him to return: "But thou hast ever been true to thy child, / And called me again to thy breast, / And whispered thy love in my ear, / And soothed me to peace and to rest."
The final stanza is a call to action, as Lanier urges his readers to embrace poetry and all that it has to offer. He writes, "Then come, O ye sons of the earth, / And drink from the fount of my love, / And learn of the beauty and power, / And feel the great heart-throbs of life!" Here, he invites us to join him in his love for poetry, and to discover for ourselves the joy and inspiration that it can bring.
Now that we have explored the structure of the poem, let's turn our attention to its language and imagery. Lanier's use of language is rich and evocative, with a strong emphasis on sensory details. For example, he writes, "And bathed in the light of thy smile!" This line creates a vivid image of the warmth and comfort that poetry can provide. Similarly, when he describes poetry as leading him "through deserts of thought," he conjures up a powerful image of a journey through the mind, with all its twists and turns.
Lanier also uses a number of metaphors and personifications to bring his ideas to life. For example, he personifies poetry as a mother figure, nurturing and guiding her children. He also compares poetry to a fount of love, inviting us to drink deeply from its waters. These metaphors and personifications help to make the poem more accessible and relatable, allowing us to connect with its themes on a deeper level.
One of the key themes of "Poetry Acknowledgment" is the idea of poetry as a source of comfort and inspiration. Lanier writes, "And soothed me to peace and to rest," describing how poetry has the power to calm our minds and ease our worries. He also writes, "And taught me the lore of the ages," highlighting the educational value of poetry and its ability to teach us about the world around us.
Another important theme is the idea of poetry as a journey. Lanier writes, "Thou hast led me through deserts of thought," emphasizing the idea that poetry can take us on a journey of self-discovery and exploration. He also writes, "And bidden me dare and to do," highlighting the idea that poetry can inspire us to take action and make a difference in the world.
Overall, "Poetry Acknowledgment" is a beautiful and inspiring poem that celebrates the enduring power of poetry. Through its rich language, vivid imagery, and powerful themes, it invites us to embrace poetry as a source of comfort, inspiration, and education. Whether we are seasoned poetry lovers or new to the art form, this poem reminds us of the beauty and value of poetry, and encourages us to explore its many wonders.
Editor Recommended Sites
Learn Terraform: Learn Terraform for AWS and GCPCloud Lakehouse: Lakehouse implementations for the cloud, the new evolution of datalakes. Data mesh tutorials
Flutter Mobile App: Learn flutter mobile development for beginners
Learn DBT: Tutorials and courses on learning DBT
SRE Engineer: Guide to SRE engineering
Recommended Similar Analysis
What mystery pervades a well! by Emily Dickinson analysisMy November Guest by Robert Lee Frost analysis
A word is dead by Emily Dickinson analysis
Of Him I Love Day And Night by Walt Whitman analysis
Schoolboy , The by William Blake analysis
Alone by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Skyscraper by Carl Sandburg analysis
Monna Innominata: A Sonnet Of Sonnets by Christina Georgina Rossetti analysis
Whoever You Are, Holding Me Now In Hand by Walt Whitman analysis
Absent-Mindedness in a Parish Choir by Thomas Hardy analysis